March 06, 2013

Mavs nudge the Rockets, 112-108

DALLAS -- Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points apiece and the Dallas Mavericks stayed within striking distance of the playoffs Wednesday with a 112-108 over the Houston Rockets before 20,344 at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs are now 27-33 on the season after gaining a split of this week's two-game set with Houston, with the Rockets winning the opener in Houston, 136-103, this past Sunday.

Darren Collison sealed Wednesday's game when he buried two free throws with 4.7 seconds left to account for the game's final two points.

Trailing 110-108, the Rockets had a chance to tie the game. But James Harden missed on a drive to the basket and the officials originally awarded the ball to the Rockets with 6.4 seconds remaining.

But after a review, the decision was reversed when replays indicated that the ball clearly went out of bounds off Harden's hand.